Light emitting panel assemblies

ABSTRACT

Light emitting panel assemblies include a light emitting panel member having two or more inserts, components or parts that may be supported by a structural member. A pattern of light extracting deformities may be on or in one or more of the inserts, components or parts for providing a desired light output distribution.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/256,275, filed Feb. 23, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/778,089, filed Jan. 2, 1997, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,079,838, which is a division of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/495,176, filed Jun. 27, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,751.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally, as indicated, to light emittingpanel assemblies each including a transparent panel member forefficiently conducting light, and controlling the light conducted by thepanel member to be emitted from one or more light output areas along thelength thereof.

[0003] Light emitting panel assemblies are generally known. However, thepresent invention relates to several different light emitting panelassembly configurations which provide for better control of the lightoutput from the panel assemblies and for more efficient utilization oflight, which results in greater light output from the panel assemblies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the lightemitting panel assemblies include a light emitting panel member having alight transition area in which at least one light source is suitablymounted for transmission of light to the light input surface of thepanel member.

[0005] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the lightsource is desirably embedded, potted or bonded to the light transitionarea to eliminate any air gaps, decrease surface reflections and/oreliminate any lens effect between the light source and light transitionarea, thereby reducing light loss and increasing the light output fromthe panel assembly.

[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the panelassemblies may include reflective or refractive surfaces for changingthe path of a portion of the light, emitted from the light source, thatwould not normally enter the panel members at an acceptable angle thatallows the light to remain in the panel members for a longer period oftime and/or increase the efficiency of the panel members.

[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the lightemitting panel members include a pattern of light extracting deformitiesor disruptions which provide a desired light output distribution fromthe panel members by changing the angle of refraction of a portion ofthe light from one or more light output areas of the panel members.

[0008] In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, thelight source may include multiple colored light sources for supplyinglight to one or more light output areas, and for providing a colored orwhite light output distribution.

[0009] In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the panelassemblies include a transition area for mixing the multiple coloredlights, prior to the light entering the panel members, in order toeffect a desired colored or white light output distribution.

[0010] The various light emitting panel assemblies of the presentinvention are very efficient panel assemblies that may be used toproduce increased uniformity and higher light output from the panelmembers with lower power requirements, and allow the panel members to bemade thinner and/or longer, and/or of various shapes and sizes.

[0011] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, theinvention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims, the following description andthe annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrativeembodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of butseveral of the various ways in which the principles of the invention maybe employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] In the annexed drawings:

[0013]FIGS. 1 through 3 are schematic perspective views of threedifferent forms of light emitting panel assemblies in accordance withthis invention;

[0014]FIG. 4a is an enlarged plan view of a portion of a light outputarea of a panel assembly showing one form of pattern of light extractingdeformities on the light output area;

[0015]FIGS. 4b, c and d are enlarged schematic perspective views of aportion of a light output area of a panel assembly showing other formsof light extracting deformities formed in or on the light output area;

[0016]FIG. 5 is an enlarged transverse section through the lightemitting panel assembly of FIG. 3 taken generally on the plane of theline 5-5 thereof;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of another form of lightemitting panel assembly in accordance with this invention;

[0018]FIG. 7 is a schematic top plan view of another form of lightemitting panel assembly in accordance with this invention;

[0019]FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of another form of lightemitting panel assembly in accordance with this invention;

[0020]FIG. 9 is a schematic top plan view of another form of lightemitting panel assembly in accordance with this invention;

[0021]FIG. 10 is a schematic top plan view of still another form oflight emitting panel assembly in accordance with this invention;

[0022]FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the light emitting panelassembly of FIG. 10;

[0023]FIG. 11a is a fragmentary side elevation view showing a tapered orrounded end on the panel member in place of the prismatic surface shownin FIGS. 10 and 11;

[0024]FIG. 12 is a schematic top plan view of another form of lightemitting panel assembly in accordance with this invention;

[0025]FIG. 13 is a schematic side elevation view of the light emittingpanel assembly of FIG. 12; and

[0026]FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic perspective views of still otherforms of light emitting panel assemblies in accordance with thisinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Referring now in detail to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1,there is schematically shown one form of light emitting panel assembly 1in accordance with this invention including a transparent light emittingpanel 2 and one or more light sources 3 which emit light in apredetermined pattern in a light transition member or area 4 used tomake the transition from the light source 3 to the light emitting panel2, as well known in the art. The light that is transmitted by the lighttransition area 4 to the transparent light emitting panel 2 may beemitted along the entire length of the panel or from one or more lightoutput areas along the length of the panel as desired to produce adesired light output distribution to fit a particular application.

[0028] In FIG. 1 the light transition area 4 is shown as an integralextension of one end of the light emitting panel 2 and as beinggenerally rectangular in shape. However, the light transition area maybe of other shapes suitable for embedding, potting, bonding or otherwisemounting the light source. Also, reflective or refractive surfaces maybe provided to increase efficiency. Moreover, the light transition area4 may be a separate piece suitably attached to the light input surface13 of the panel member if desired. Also, the sides of the lighttransition area may be curved to more efficiently reflect or refract aportion of the light emitted from the light source through the lightemitting panel at an acceptable angle.

[0029]FIG. 2 shows another form of light emitting panel assembly 5 inaccordance with this invention including a panel light transition area 6at one end of the light emitting panel 7 with sides 8, 9 around andbehind the light source 3 shaped to more efficiently reflect and/orrefract and focus the light emitted from the light source 3 thatimpinges on these surfaces back through the light transition area 6 atan acceptable angle for entering the light input surface 18 at one endof the light emitting panel 7. Also, a suitable reflective material orcoating 10 may be provided on the portions of the sides of the lighttransition areas of the panel assemblies of FIGS. 1 and 2 on which aportion of the light impinges for maximizing the amount of light orotherwise changing the light that is reflected back through the lighttransition areas and into the light emitting panels.

[0030] The panel assemblies shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 include a singlelight source 3, whereas FIG. 3 shows another light emitting panelassembly 11 in accordance with this invention including two lightsources 3. Of course, it will be appreciated that the panel assembliesof the present invention may be provided with any number of lightsources as desired, depending on the particular application.

[0031] The panel assembly 11 of FIG. 3 includes a light transition area12 at one end of the light emitting panel 14 having reflective and/orrefractive surfaces 15 around and behind each light source 3. Thesesurfaces 15 may be appropriately shaped including for example curved,straight and/or faceted surfaces, and if desired, suitable reflectivematerials or coatings may be provided on portions of these surfaces tomore efficiently reflect and/or refract and focus a portion of the lightemitted for example from an incandescent light source which emits lightin a 360° pattern through the light transition areas 12 into the lightinput surface 19 of the light emitting panel 14.

[0032] The light sources 3 may be mechanically held in any suitablemanner in slots, cavities or openings 16 machined, molded or otherwiseformed in the light transition areas of the panel assemblies. However,preferably the light sources 3 are embedded, potted or bonded in thelight transition areas in order to eliminate any air gaps or airinterface surfaces between the light sources and surrounding lighttransition areas, thereby reducing light loss and increasing the lightoutput emitted by the light emitting panels. Such mounting of the lightsources may be accomplished, for example, by bonding the light sources 3in the slots, cavities or openings 16 in the light transition areasusing a sufficient quantity of a suitable embedding, potting or bondingmaterial 17. The slots, cavities or openings 16 may be on the top,bottom, sides or back of the light transition areas. Bonding can also beaccomplished by a variety of methods that do not incorporate extramaterial, for example, thermal bonding, heat staking, ultrasonic orplastic welding or the like. Other methods of bonding include insertmolding and casting around the light source(s).

[0033] A transparent light emitting material of any suitable type, forexample acrylic or polycarbonate, may be used for the light emittingpanels. Also, the panels may be substantially flat, or curved, may be asingle layer or multi-layers, and may have different thicknesses andshapes. Moreover, the panels may be flexible, or rigid, and may be madeout of a variety of compounds. Further, the panels may be hollow, filledwith liquid, air, or be solid, and may have holes or ridges in thepanels.

[0034] Each light source 3 may also be of any suitable type including,for example, any of the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,897,771 and5,005,108, assigned to the same assignee as the present application, theentire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Inparticular, the light sources 3 may be an arc lamp, an incandescent bulbwhich also may be colored, filtered or painted, a lens end bulb, a linelight, a halogen lamp, a light emitting diode (LED), a chip from an LED,a neon bulb, a fluorescent tube, a fiber optic light pipe transmittingfrom a remote source, a laser or laser diode, or any other suitablelight source. Additionally, the light sources 3 may be a multiplecolored LED, or a combination of multiple colored radiation sources inorder to provide a desired colored or white light output distribution.For example, a plurality of colored lights such as LEDs of differentcolors (red, blue, green) or a single LED with multiple colored chipsmay be employed to create white light or any other colored light outputdistribution by varying the intensities of each individual coloredlight.

[0035] A pattern of light extracting deformities or disruptions may beprovided on one or both sides of the panel members or on one or moreselected areas on one or both sides of the panel members, as desired.FIG. 4a schematically shows one such light surface area 20 on which apattern of light extracting deformities or disruptions 21 is provided.As used herein, the term deformities or disruptions are usedinterchangeably to mean any change in the shape or geometry of the panelsurface and/or coating or surface treatment that causes a portion of thelight to be emitted. The pattern of light extracting deformities 21shown in FIG. 4a includes a variable pattern which breaks up the lightrays such that the internal angle of reflection of a portion of thelight rays will be great enough to cause the light rays either to beemitted out of the panel through the side or sides on which the lightextracting deformities 21 are provided or reflected back through thepanel and emitted out the other side.

[0036] These deformities or disruptions 21 can be produced in a varietyof manners, for example, by providing a painted pattern, an etchedpattern, a machined pattern, a printed pattern, a hot stamped pattern,or a molded pattern or the like on selected light output areas of thepanel members. An ink or printed pattern may be applied for example bypad printing, silk screening, ink jet, heat transfer film process or thelike. The deformities may also be printed on a sheet or film which isused to apply the deformities to the panel member. This sheet or filmmay become a permanent part of the light panel assembly for example byattaching or otherwise positioning the sheet or film against one or bothsides of the panel member similar to the sheet or film 27 shown in FIGS.3 and 5 in order to produce a desired effect.

[0037] By varying the density, opaqueness or translucence, shape, depth,color, area, index of refraction, or type of deformities 21 on an areaor areas of the panels, the light output of the panels can becontrolled. The deformities or disruptions may be used to control thepercent of light emitted from any area of the panels. For example, lessand/or smaller size deformities 21 may be placed on panel areas whereless light output is wanted. Conversely, a greater percentage of and/orlarger deformities may be placed on areas of the panels where greaterlight output is desired.

[0038] Varying the percentages and/or size of deformities in differentareas of the panel is necessary in order to provide a uniform lightoutput distribution. For example, the amount of light traveling throughthe panels will ordinarily be greater in areas closer to the lightsource than in other areas further removed from the light source. Apattern of light extracting deformities 21 may be used to adjust for thelight variances within the panel members, for example, by providing adenser concentration of light extracting deformities with increaseddistance from the light source 3 thereby resulting in a more uniformlight output distribution from the light emitting panels.

[0039] The deformities 21 may also be used to control the output rayangle distribution of the emitted light to suit a particularapplication. For example, if the panel assemblies are used to provide aliquid crystal display backlight, the light output will be moreefficient if the deformities 21 cause the light rays to emit from thepanels at predetermined ray angles such that they will pass through theliquid crystal display with low loss.

[0040] Additionally, the pattern of light extracting deformities may beused to adjust for light output variances attributed to lightextractions of the panel members. The pattern of light extractingdeformities 21 may be printed on the light output areas utilizing a widespectrum of paints, inks, coatings, epoxies, or the like, ranging fromglossy to opaque or both, and may employ half-tone separation techniquesto vary the deformity 21 coverage. Moreover, the pattern of lightextracting deformities 21 may be multiple layers or vary in index ofrefraction.

[0041] Print patterns of light extracting deformities 21 may vary inshapes such as dots, squares, diamonds, ellipses, stars, random shapes,and the like, and are desirably 0.006 square inch per deformity/elementor less. Also, print patterns that are 60 lines per inch or finer aredesirably employed, thus making the deformities or shapes 21 in theprint patterns nearly invisible to the human eye in a particularapplication thereby eliminating the detection of gradient or bandinglines that are common to light extracting patterns utilizing largerelements. Additionally, the deformities may vary in shape and/or sizealong the length and/or width of the panel members. Also, a randomplacement pattern of the deformities may be utilized throughout thelength and/or width of the panel members. The deformities may haveshapes or a pattern with no specific angles to reduce moire or otherinterference effects. Examples of methods to create these randompatterns are printing a pattern of shapes using stochastic print patterntechniques, frequency modulated half tone patterns, or random dot halftones. Moreover, the deformities may be colored in order to effect colorcorrection in the panel members. The color of the deformities may alsovary throughout the panel members, for example to provide differentcolors for the same or different light output areas.

[0042] In addition to or in lieu of the patterns of light extractingdeformities 21 shown in FIG. 4a, other light extracting deformitiesincluding prismatic surfaces, depressions or raised surfaces of variousshapes using more complex shapes in a mold pattern may be molded,etched, stamped, thermoformed, hot stamped or the like into or on one ormore areas of the panel member. FIGS. 4b and 4 c show panel areas 22 onwhich prismatic surfaces 23 or depressions 24 are formed in the panelareas, whereas FIG. 4d shows prismatic or other reflective or refractivesurfaces 25 formed on the exterior of the panel area. The prismaticsurfaces, depressions or raised surfaces will cause a portion of thelight rays contacted thereby to be emitted from the panel member. Also,the angles of the prisms, depressions or other surfaces may be varied todirect the light in different directions to produce a desired lightoutput distribution or effect. Moreover, the reflective or refractivesurfaces may have shapes or a pattern with no specific angles to reducemoire or other interference effects.

[0043] As best seen in the cross sectional view of FIG. 5, a backreflector (including trans reflectors) 26 may be attached or positionedagainst one side of the panel member 14 of FIG. 3 using a suitableadhesive 28 or other method in order to improve light output efficiencyof the panel assembly 11 by reflecting the light emitted from that sideback through the panel for emission through the opposite side.Additionally, a pattern of light extracting deformities 21, 23, 24and/or 25 may be provided on one or both sides of the panel member inorder to change the path of the light so that the internal criticalangle is exceeded and a portion of the light is emitted from one or bothsides of the panel. Moreover, a transparent film, sheet or plate 27 maybe attached or positioned against the side or sides of the panel memberfrom which light is emitted using a suitable adhesive 28 or other methodin order to produce a desired effect.

[0044] The member 27 may be used to further improve the uniformity ofthe light output distribution. For example, the member 27 may be acolored film, a diffuser, or a label or display, a portion of which maybe a transparent overlay that may be colored and/or have text or animage thereon.

[0045] If adhesive 28 is used to adhere the back reflector 26 and/orfilm 27 to the panel, the adhesive is preferably applied only along theside edges of the panel, and if desired the end edge opposite the lighttransition areas 12, but not over the entire surface area or areas ofthe panel because of the difficulty in consistently applying a uniformcoating of adhesive to the panel. Also, the adhesive changes theinternal critical angle of the light in a less controllable manner thanthe air gaps 30 (see FIG. 5) which are formed between the respectivepanel surfaces and the back reflector 26 and/or film 27 when onlyadhered along the peripheral edges. Additionally, longer panel membersare achievable when air gaps 30 are used. If adhesive were to be usedover the entire surface, the pattern of deformities could be adjusted toaccount for the additional attenuation in the light caused by theadhesive.

[0046] Referring further to FIG. 2, the panel assembly 5 shown thereinalso includes molded posts 31 at one or more corners of the panel 7(four such posts being shown) which may be used to facilitate mountingof the panel assembly and providing structural support for other partsor components, for example, a display panel such as a liquid crystaldisplay panel as desired.

[0047]FIG. 6 shows another form of light emitting panel assembly 32 inaccordance with this invention including a panel member 33, one or morelight sources 3, and one or more light output areas 34. In addition, thepanel assembly 32 includes a tray 35 having a cavity or recess 36 inwhich the panel assembly 32 is received. The tray 35 may act as a backreflector as well as end edge and/or side edge reflectors for the panel33 and side and/or back reflectors 37 for the light sources 3.Additionally, one or more secondary reflective or refractive surfaces 38may be provided on the panel member 33 and/or tray 35 to reflect aportion of the light around one or more corners or curves in anon-rectangular shaped panel member 33. These secondaryreflective/refractive surfaces 38 may be flat, angled, faceted orcurved, and may be used to extract a portion of the light away from thepanel member in a predetermined pattern. FIG. 6 also shows multiplelight output areas 34 on the panel member that emit light from one ormore light sources 3.

[0048]FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of still another form of lightemitting panel assembly 40 in accordance with this invention including apanel member 41 having one or more light output areas 42 and one or morelight transition areas (mixing areas) 43 containing a plurality of lightsources 3 at one or both ends of the panel. Each transition area mixesthe light from one or more light sources having different colors and/orintensities. In this particular embodiment, each of the light sources 3desirably employs three colored LEDs (red, blue, green) in eachtransition mixing area 43 so that the light from the three LEDs can bemixed to produce a desired light output color that will be emitted fromthe light output area 42. Alternatively, each light source may be asingle LED having multiple colored chips bonded to the lead film. Also,two colored LEDs or a single LED having two colored chips may be usedfor a particular application. By varying the intensities of theindividual respective LEDs, virtually any colored light output or whitelight distribution can be achieved.

[0049]FIG. 8 shows yet another form of light emitting panel assembly 45in accordance with this invention including a light emitting panelmember 46 and a light source 3 in a light transition area 48 integralwith one end of the panel member. In this particular embodiment, thepanel member 46 is three-dimensionally curved, for example, such thatlight rays may be emitted in a manner that facilitates aesthetic designof a lighted display.

[0050]FIG. 9 schematically shows another form of light emitting panelassembly 50 in accordance with this invention, including a panel member51 having multiple light output areas 52, and mounting posts and/ormounting tabs 53. This particular panel assembly 50 may serve as astructural member to support other parts or components as by providingholes or cavities 54, 55 in the panel member 51 which allow for theinsertion of modular components or other parts into the panel member.Moreover, a separate cavity or recess 56 may be provided in the panelmember 51 for receipt of a correspondingly shaped light transition area57 having one or more light sources 3 embedded, bonded, cast, insertmolded, epoxied, or otherwise mounted or positioned therein and a curvedreflective or refractive surface 58 on the transition area 57 and/orwall of the cavity or recess 56 to redirect a portion of the light in apredetermined manner. In this way the light transition area 57 and/orpanel member may be in the form of a separate insert which facilitatesthe easy placement of the light source in a modular manner. A reflector58 may be placed on the reflective or refractive surface of the cavityor recess 56 or insert 57. Where the reflector 58 is placed on thereflective or refractive surface of the cavity or recess 56, the cavityor recess may act as a mold permitting transparent material from whichthe transition area 57 is made to be cast around one or more lightsources 3.

[0051]FIGS. 10 and 11 schematically show another form of light emittingpanel assembly 60 in accordance with this invention including a panelmember 61 having one or more light output areas 62. In this particularembodiment, an off-axis light transition area 63 is provided that isthicker in cross section than the panel member to permit use of one ormore light sources 3 embedded or otherwise mounted in the lighttransition area that are dimensionally thicker than the panel member.Also, a three-dimensional reflective surface 64 (FIG. 11) may beprovided on the transition area 63. Moreover, a prism 65 (FIG. 11) ortapered, rounded, or otherwise shaped end 66 (FIG. 11a) may be providedat the end of the panel opposite the light sources 3 to perform thefunction of an end reflector. The light sources 3 may be oriented atdifferent angles relative to each other and offset to facilitate bettermixing of the light rays 67 in the transition area 63 as schematicallyshown in FIG. 10 and/or to permit a shorter length transition area 63 tobe used.

[0052]FIGS. 12 and 13 schematically show still another form of lightemitting panel assembly 70 in accordance with this invention whichincludes one or more light transition areas 71 at one or both ends ofthe panel member 72 each containing a single light source 73. Thetransition area or areas 71 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 collect light withmultiple or three-dimensional surfaces and/or collect light in more thanone plane. For example each transition area 71 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13has elliptical and parabolic shape surfaces 74 and 75 in differentplanes for directing the light rays 76 into the panel member at adesired angle.

[0053] Providing one or more transition areas at one or both ends of thepanel member of any desired dimension to accommodate one or more lightsources, with reflective and/or refractive surfaces on the transitionareas for redirecting the light rays into the panel member at relativelylow angles allows the light emitting panel member to be made much longerand thinner than would otherwise be possible. For example the panelmembers of the present invention may be made very thin, i.e., 0.125 inchthick or less.

[0054]FIG. 14 schematically illustrates still another form of lightemitting panel assembly 80 in accordance with this invention including alight emitting panel 81 and one or more light sources 3 positioned,embedded, potted, bonded or otherwise mounted in a light transition area82 that is at an angle relative to the panel member 81 to permit moreefficient use of space. An angled or curved reflective or refractivesurface 83 is provided at the junction of the panel member 81 with thetransition area 82 in order to reflect/refract light from the lightsource 3 into the body of the panel member 81 for emission of light fromone or more light emitting areas 84 along the length of the panelmember.

[0055]FIG. 15 schematically illustrates still another form of lightemitting panel assembly 90 in accordance with this invention including alight transition area 91 at one or both ends of a light emitting panelmember 92 containing a slot 93 for sliding receipt of an LED or othersuitable light source 3. Preferably the slot 93 extends into thetransition area 91 from the back edge 94, whereby the light source 3 maybe slid and/or snapped in place in the slot from the back, thus allowingthe transition area to be made shorter and/or thinner. The light source3 may be provided with wings, tabs or other surfaces 95 for engagementin correspondingly shaped recesses or grooves 96 or the like in thetransition area 91 for locating and, if desired, securing the lightsource in place. Also, the light source 3 may be embedded, potted,bonded or otherwise secured within the slot 93 in the light transitionarea 91 of the panel member 92. Light from a secondary light source 97may be projected through the panel member 92 for indication or someother effect.

[0056] The various light emitting panel assemblies disclosed herein maybe used for a great many different applications including for exampleLCD back lighting or lighting in general, decorative and displaylighting, automotive lighting, dental lighting, phototherapy or othermedical lighting, membrane switch lighting, and sporting goods andapparel lighting or the like. Also the panel assemblies may be made suchthat the panel members and deformities are transparent without a backreflector. This allows the panel assemblies to be used for example tofront light an LCD or other display such that the display is viewedthrough the transparent panel members.

[0057] Although the invention has been shown and described with respectto certain preferred embodiments, it is obvious that equivalentalterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the artupon the reading and understanding of the specification. The presentinvention includes all such equivalent alterations and modifications,and is limited only by the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A light emitting panel assembly comprising alight emitting panel member for receiving light from a light source, thepanel member having at least one light emitting surface, two or moreseparate parts or modular components, and a pattern of light extractingdeformities on or in one or more of the parts or components forproviding a desired light output distribution from the light emittingsurface.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a structuralmember for supporting the parts or modular components.
 3. The assemblyof claim 2 wherein the structural member comprises a tray for receipt ofthe parts or modular components.
 4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein thetray provides a back reflector for the panel member.
 5. The assembly ofclaim 1 further comprising a film overlying at least a portion of oneside of the panel member to change the light emitted from the panelmember in a predetermined manner.
 6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein thedeformities vary in at least one of the following characteristics: size,shape, position, placement, density, height, depth, angle andorientation.
 7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein at least some light fromthe light source travels from at least one of the parts or components toanother of the parts or components.
 8. The assembly of claim 1 whereinthe light source is a fluorescent lamp.
 9. The assembly of claim 1wherein the light source comprises two or more light emitting diodes.10. A light emitting panel assembly comprising a modular light emittingpanel member having one or more light sources and two or more lightoutput areas, and a pattern of light extracting deformities on or in thepanel member that vary in size, shape, position, placement, density,height, depth, angle or orientation for providing a desired light outputdistribution from the light output areas.
 11. The assembly of claim 10further comprising a structural support for supporting the panel member.12. A light emitting panel assembly comprising a light emitting panelmember having a light emitting surface, the light emitting panel memberbeing made of more than one modular component, and at least one lightsource for each modular component.
 13. The assembly of claim 12 furthercomprising a tray for supporting the modular components.
 14. Theassembly of claim 13 wherein the tray acts as a reflector for the panelmember.
 15. A light emitting panel assembly comprising a light emittingpanel member for receiving light from a light source, the panel memberbeing formed of two or more inserts, components or parts, a pattern oflight extracting deformities on or in one or more of the inserts,components or parts for providing a desired light output distribution,and a structural member for holding, positioning or supporting theinserts, components or parts.
 16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein atleast two of the inserts, components or parts are shaped to mate withone another.
 17. The assembly of claim 16 further comprising a reflectorbetween at least one mating surface between two of the inserts,components or parts.
 18. The assembly of claim 15 further comprising atleast one film or substrate in close proximity to at least one side ofthe panel member to change the light emitted from the panel member in apredetermined manner.
 19. The assembly of claim 18 wherein the film orsubstrate has deformities on or in at least one surface of the film orsubstrate.
 20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the deformities on or inthe film or substrate have prismatic or lenticular surfaces.
 21. Theassembly of claim 15 wherein at least one single piece of film orsubstrate overlies two or more inserts, components or parts of the panelmember.
 22. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the structural membercomprises a tray.
 23. The assembly of claim 22 wherein the tray acts asa reflector for the panel member.
 24. The assembly of claim 15 whereinat least some light travels from at least one of the inserts, componentsor parts to another of the inserts, components or parts.
 25. Theassembly of claim 15 wherein the deformities vary in at least one of thefollowing characteristics: size, shape, position, placement, density,height, depth, angle and orientation.
 26. A light emitting panelassembly comprising a light emitting panel member having a lightemitting surface and a light transition area, the panel assemblyincluding two or more components or parts that make up at least one ofthe light emitting surface, the light transition area, and the panelmember.
 27. The assembly of claim 26 further comprising a structuralmember for holding, positioning or supporting the components or parts.28. The assembly of claim 27 wherein the structural member acts as areflector.
 29. The assembly of claim 26 wherein at least some lighttravels from at least one of the components or parts to another of thecomponents or parts.
 30. The assembly of claim 26 further comprising oneor more light emitting diodes for supplying light to the lighttransition area.
 31. The assembly of claim 30 wherein the light emittingdiodes are multicolored light emitting diodes that provide differentcolored light that is mixed in the light transition area to produce adesired colored light output distribution from the light emittingsurface.
 32. A light emitting panel assembly comprising a light emittingpanel member having one or more light emitting surfaces, the lightemitting panel member being made of multiple parts or modular componentssupported by a structural member.
 33. The assembly of claim 32 whereinthe structural member acts as a reflector for one or more of the partsor components.
 34. The assembly of claim 30 wherein the structuralmember comprises a tray that receives the parts or components.